Fence-support



' Patented Apr. 19, 1887.

N. PrrEns, Fboln-Lifllographer, Wash'mglon. 0.6.

J. S. & G. H. HUME.

FENCE SUPPORT UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHh. S. HUME AND GEORGE H. HUME, OF OSAlVATOlllIE, KANSAS.

FENCE-SUPPORT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 361,291, dated April 19, 1887.

Application filed September 23, 1886. Serial No. 214,328. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that we, JOHN S. HUME and GEORGE H. HUME, citizens of the United States, residing at Osawatomie, in the county of Miami and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence- Supports; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figure's of reference markedthereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to fences, and has for its object the construction of a fence which will be light and durable and can be readily handled transported from place to place, and quickly set up and taken down.

The improvement consists in the novel features more fully hereinafter set forth, claimed, and shown in the drawings, in whioh- Figure l is a perspective view of a section of fence of our construction embodying our improvement. Fig. 2 is a front view of one of the intermediate supports. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the several parts detached and arranged in their relative positions. Fig. 4 is a front view of the anchor, and Fig. 5 is aplan view of one of the braces.

The fence comprises end posts, A and B, intermediate supports, 0, and rails or wires D. WVherc it is desired to form an inclosure by lengths of the same or similar fencing united at the corners, the end post is L-shapedin crosssection, as shown at A; but where onlya single length or side is required the end post is straight in cross-section,as shown at B. These end posts are prevented from sinking in the ground by short bars a and I) passed transversely through the lower ends of each. The bara passes diagonally through the post A,and extends on each side, as shown, and the bar 2) passes straight through the post 13 at right angles. The braces E, composed of two flat bars united at each end and sprung apart at the middle, are pivotally connected at their upper ends with the posts by the same bolts or rivets which unite the upper ends. The lower ends are pointed, so that they can be easily driven in the ground, and are prevented from sinking by short crossbars e passed transversely'through their lower ends, similar to those in the lower ends of the end posts. The intermediate supports can now be set up and wires stretched between theend posts, as shown.

The supports 0 are each composed of a central wire-receiving bar, F, braces G, and ties H. The braces consist each of a single bar or rod having an eye, 9, formed at its upper end, and havingits lower end bent upward and outward, forming the arm 9, which prevents the sinking of the support, and also serves as a means for securing it in posit-ion by an anchor driven into the, ground and engaging the arm. The upper ends of the braces are lapped one upon each side of the wire-receiving bar F, and are secured thereto by a bolt or rivet, g. The lower ends are separated, and the ties H are secured at their inner ends to the bar F by bolts or rivets, and their outer ends are bent around the braces. The bars F have a series of openings, f, for the passage of the wires. Slots are formed through one edge of the bar and communicate with the openings, so that the wires can be easily slipped into position. The slots incline upward and are closed by a latch, F, pivoted above the openings, for the purpose of preventing the accidental displacement of the wires.

On short lengths of fencing the wires can be stretched between the end p0sts,and the intermediate supports subsequently set up, which can be readily done by disengaging the inner ends of the cross-ties H from the bar F, separating the braces and slipping the support down over the wires, or by turning one of the braces up, placing the bar F alongside the wires,and bringing the brace previously turned up down upon the opposite side of the wires. The inner ends of the ties are then secured in place. The wires are slipped into position in the manner already set forth.

By having the braces E composed of two fiat bars, which are secured together at their ends and spring apart between said ends, alight and strong stay is produced, and when in position the wires pass between the bars. Thus the strain upon the brace is equally divided and the post has no tendency to sag either to the right or left.

The posts, braces and supports are held to the ground by anchors, which are driven into the ground and engage the short transverse ICC) bars of the posts and braces and the arms of the supports. The preferred form of anchor is that shown in Fig; 4, which consists of two oppositelycurved prongs, I, pivotally connected at their upper ends.

\Vires or rails can be independently used, or both can be used in connection. The latter is preferred, as a single rail can be used,which will serve as aguard to preventinjury to stock by warning them of the inclosure. The rail will be transversely notched at each end on its lower edge, and will be fitted between the supports and held in place by the cross-ties itting in the notches, as will be readily understood.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patcut, is

1. The combination, with the fence-post, of the brace composed of two bars pivotally secured thereto near the upper end, the bars being sprung apart between their ends, and the short cross-bar passed transversely through and uniting the lower ends of the bars of said brace and the anchor, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination, with the central bar and braces, each composed of a single bar having an eye at its upper end and a bend and arm at its lower end, pivotally united at their upper ends with the bar, of the cross-ties removably connected at their inner ends with the bar and having their outer ends bent around the braces, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof we aiiix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN S. HUME. GEORGE H. HUME.

\Vitnesses:

J ESSE B. WnLLs, Isaac SI-IACKELTON. 

